Rescue operation on Puntledge River: SATURDAY UPDATE

RCMP have confirmed Saturday morning the 26-year-old mother who was pulled from the Puntledge River Friday has died in hospital.

Her seven-month-old baby boy remains in hospital.

Crowds of onlookers watched as emergency workers including RCMP, Comox Valley Search & Rescue and the Courtenay Fire Department completed the rescue along the banks of the river in Courtenay.

Emergency service personnel were dispatched at approximately 2:30 p.m. after reports came in of a woman and a baby in the water. Rescue workers found the baby in the river near the Condensory Bridge at approximately 3 p.m. and were seen performing CPR before transporting the child to St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Approximately one hour later, the mother was pulled out of the water and into a boat.